The Care Inspectorate said the service was ‘weak’ in the quality indicator relating to supporting children’s rights and wellbeing (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Kids 'don't feel safe' at Ayrshire children's home due to 'distressed behaviours of peers'

Spark of Genius Woodside, based at Dalrymple Road, Coylton, was graded as ‘weak’ following an unannounced inspection.

by · Daily Record

A residential care unit for children has been criticised by the Care Inspectorate for the service it provides.

Spark of Genius Woodside, based at Dalrymple Road, Coylton, was graded as ‘weak’ following an unannounced inspection in October with the findings made public this month.

According to the Care Inspectorate some young people they spoke to said they “did not feel safe” due to the “distressed behaviours of peers.”

Inspectors also noted that several staff had left the service, while others “felt vulnerable” due to “allegations” made against them.

In addition, “several staff” had been subject of internal investigation.

Staff morale was “low” at the time of the inspection as a result of the impact of a “number of processes” that were taking place.

Among the other key messages, staffing levels were “not consistent” with young people’s needs and their training “did not fully match” young people’s needs.

The Care Inspectorate said the service was ‘weak’ in the quality indicator relating to supporting children’s rights and wellbeing.

Spark of Genius - Woodside is registered to provide residential care for up to six young people within two houses. One house is registered for up to five young people, and the other for a single young person.

An extract from the Care Inspectorate report said: “Young people’s views on feeling safe were mixed. Some young people spoke positively of staff and of the very good relationships they had built, including how this had made a significant difference for them.

"Other young people we spoke to said they did not feel safe in the service due to the distressed behaviours of peers.

“Some young people were said by staff to be inconsistent with their views from day to day. Young people’s social workers were aware of their views and were reported to be acting on them.”

The report continues: "While there had previously been a stable period in the service, there had been a recent increase in the numbers of restrictive practices. This was due to the dynamic created in the house between young people with similar needs that had not been considered sufficiently during the matching process.

"The matching process had resulted in the need for very high levels of supervision and limited some opportunities for peer interaction and socialisation.

"We have made a requirement in relation to the need for full information being obtained prior to admission of young people into the service."

The report also noted that whilst the majority of staff demonstrated "good knowledge" of child protection and whistleblowing procedures there had been internal investigations, led by assistant managers, that “had not followed” the child protection policy, resulting in a need for all staff to be “fully aware and understanding” of the child protection policy and procedures.

Staffing levels were also flagged up by inspectors as ‘inconsistent’, with the report saying: “The service staffing levels were inconsistent, and at times insufficient, to meet the young people's needs. Young people reported that this meant that sometimes they would not have opportunities to engage with staff or go on trips outwith the service due to the staff attending to other duties. Staff and external professionals shared this view.

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"Several staff had left the service. Others felt vulnerable due to allegations made against them. Several staff had been subject of internal investigation. Staff morale was low at the time of the inspection. The external managers where aware of this and were planning to meet with staff to address the situation.

“Whilst we agree developmental days would be beneficial, we would hope to see further actions taken to address the circumstances.”

Among the positives, the Care Inspectorate did say that young people were “supported” to meet with family and others of importance to them and staff were working with external professionals toward understanding and employing “effective communication methods.”

And young people’s identities and beliefs were “respected and supported.”

Spark of Genius Ltd has been contacted for a response.

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